Academic events are considered a great success when participants are well-informed, engaged, and connected. Nowadays, organisers often rely on mobile apps to guide participants through events. These apps help attendees plan their time and facilitate communication during the event. Participants require the application to be quick, simple, and to meet their needs. If you happen to create a mobile app for an academic event, then it is necessary for you to put user experience first.
This blog discusses the ten main features that an event app must have to keep the attendees engaged. These features determine the way users access sessions, communicate with peers, get resources, and become part of the experience. If you are going to create or upgrade an event app, these features will help you design a tool that, first of all, meets users’ expectations and then gets their trust.
1. A Clean and Simple Interface
A nice interface, visually supporting the user, is necessary so that the user can efficiently explore the program. Students, researchers, and faculty members are extremely busy; therefore, they will not put up with being distracted by complicated menus while searching for information.
To make an interface that everyone can understand, you have to consider the factors that are near each other:
-
- Efficient layouts
- Clear understanding of icons
- Direct communication through labels
Your visitors must be able to access the event schedule, speaker list, venue map, and announcements with one single tap. Hidden menus and long ways are not user-friendly. By designing with clarity as your main goal, the app turns into a handy guide that is not a source of confusion.
Using a neat interface is also another way to lessen the learning curve. Quite a few attendees take part in international conferences, workshops, and symposiums. They could be a maximum of two or three days. They should not have to spend time figuring out how to use it. Through clean design and logical placement of buttons, the app is self-explanatory.
2. A Clever and Well-Organized Event Schedule
An event schedule is basically the core of any academic event app. People are constantly checking it at different hours of the day in order to decide on sessions to attend, follow changes of rooms, and set reminders. An effective schedule layout is a tool that users employ to stay organised.
Use proper formatting to communicate your schedule. Consider the program divided by day, time, track, and theme. Reliance on simple colour codes or icons may give an immediate visual perception to the users about the topic of the sessions. Be consistent in the length of time for different sessions, and do not allow the screen to be crowded with too many things.
Put in place basic filters that enable users to look for information according to:
-
- Topic
- Speaker
- Format (panel, workshop, keynote)
- Location
The layout should be like a magnet for the interaction of the users. There should be “Add to My Agenda” buttons, with the help of which users can make a bookmark in the session. Having a personal agenda is a proper tool for users to juggle with the overwhelming conference days, and at the same time, it is a way of almost zeroing the chances of missing important sessions.
3. Smooth Navigation and Fast Search
Event app users should be able to navigate the whole app without any help or confusion. It is, in fact, only two or three taps through which they can reach any location of the event. The right design eliminates the problem and allows them to be in control.
Decide if the main navigation bar would be at the bottom or on the side. Limit the options to such an extent that they look like:
-
- Home
- Schedule
- Speakers
- Attendees
- Messages
- Resources
The app needs a powerful search bar. Users should be permitted to look for speakers, posters, sessions, and exhibitors, or to enter a keyword and get the results right away. The solution to the problem in designing is that it allows rapid access to the required information, and there is no need for lengthy scrolling.
4. Personalised Agenda and Notifications
Personalisation is an important tool through which conference participants can handle their own event experience. A personalised agenda, being a primary feature, really appeals to the participants in a certain way, as it gives them a clear overview. In case your layout facilitates quick bookmarking, users get to be the masters of their day.
Add simple features such as:
-
- One-tap session bookmarking
- Session reminders are made automatically
- Schedule change alerts
- Room change notifications
Make the communication short messages and keep away from sending too many messages. Enable users to decide which messages they want to receive. Therefore, when they are the masters of their settings, they become more confident in the application.
5. Efficient Check-In and Electronic Badges
Big crowds are the usual thing at academic events. Most organisers consider the fastest session check-ins and the shortest waiting time to be the most crucial things. With well-functioning check-in features, the app can become a perfect tool to support this.
Make an electronic badge in the app containing the attendee’s name, affiliation, and QR code. Put the badge somewhere simple and visible. This means less confusion at the gates.
The check-in interface should be able to:
-
- Scan QR codes
- Conduct session check-ins
- Offer quick badge access
6. Speaker and Attendee Profiles
If an app has complete profiles, participants can expand their networks before and during the event. Transform the profile sample into the most straightforward version, containing merely a handful of points, like:
-
- Name
- Institution
- Research interests
- Participation in the session
- Contact methods
Don’t cover the wall with your writing. Instead of creating a long text, break it down into simple components from which users can quickly glance at each profile. Provide them with the opportunity to directly send a message. When the design is targeted at networking, attendees become more valuable to the event.
7. Interactive Maps and Venue Guidance
Different rooms, buildings, or floors are the usual places where large academic events are held. People who attend the event must be shown how to get to the sessions on time. Difficult navigation sometimes results in people being late and getting irritated.
Prepare a bright, interactive map for the app. Keep the design minimal and feature:
-
- Rooms for sessions
- Registration counter
- Help desk
- Exhibitors
- Breakout areas
- Restrooms
Instead of using long labels, employ simple icons. If the size of the venue permits, put a “Locate Me” or “Show Route” button. Even a non-interactive, properly designed map is of great help to visitors in finding their way without the necessity of asking the staff for directions.
8. In-App Messaging and Community Interaction
Academic events are discussion-driven. People who have come expect the application to provide them with a means of direct communication with other users. In-app messaging makes it possible for them to establish contacts, share ideas as well and plan their meetings.
Compose a messaging page that appears to be easy and secure. Employ a format similar to that of the most common chat tools. Make the user interface elements attractive and simple to use, like:
-
- Message
- Reply
- Block
- Report
Add group channels or topic-based discussion boards to develop community interaction. For instance, channels can be created for:
-
- Research tracks
- Student groups
- Poster sessions
- Special interest areas
Clear layout enables participants to carry out their roles without getting lost.
9. Resource Library for Papers, Slides, and Posters
Academic conference-goers look forward to having access to the resources of the sessions. They are often eager to get copies of the slides, abstracts, posters, or research papers. A well-organised online library of resources makes it possible for them to be active even after the event is over.
Prepare the resources area with folders or tabs sorted by:
-
- Session
- Topic
- Speaker
- File type
Let the users have a copy of the files or save them for later access. Put an easy “Add to My Library” button there to let users create their own library of resources.
Refrain from using very long titles or overly filled lists. Employing brief labels enables users to quickly grasp what each file holds.
10. Quick and Easy Feedback Tools
People attending a conference want to be heard. They also desire a simple method to give their opinion. An excellent academic meeting app comprises a straightforward feedback mechanism.
Put together brief forms for:
-
- Sessions
- Speakers
- Overall event experience
Implement star ratings, brief text boxes, and easy-to-use checklists. Refrain from using long forms that coerce participants. Locate the feedback prompts at the end of each session in the schedule. An attractive layout results in a higher number of responses and gives organisers a view of what was successful and what they need to change.
Final Thoughts
Academic conference participants look forward to a mobile application that would keep them updated, connected as well as, and engaged. They wish for straightforward user interfaces, a clear timetable, fast search, personalised calendars, effortless check-ins, interactive maps, hassle-free messaging, and organised resources. Every feature has its function in creating their experience and facilitating their objectives.
An event application becomes a strong support system for all participants when you design it with clarity and purpose. It enables them to learn, network, and engage in the event with the required confidence. In case you are willing to create a mobile app that fulfills the requirements of the attendees and supports every phase of your academic event, then consider Dryfta.
Dryfta combines neat design, easy navigation, and complete event tools in one platform made for academic communities. Get your free demo today and see how Dryfta can power your next event.